Guitar



(No Model.)

J. HOLTVOIGT. GUITAR.

No. 539,056. 4 yjatanted May 14, 1.895.

WITNESSES. INVENTOI? $222 0% w fl w/0%.

ATTORNEY.

Urrrrno STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

JOHN HOLTVOIGT, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

GUlTAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,056, dated May 14, 1895.

Application filed February 14, 1895. Serial No. 538,367 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN HoLrvoIor, of Dayton, county of Montgomery, State of Ohio, have invented a'new and useful Improvement in Guitars; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in guitars, and it has for its object, the attain ment of a greater degree of resonance than is obtainable in the general make of instruments of this character.

lVith this object in view the invention consists in the construction of the finger board and the sounding board, and in the mounting of the former free from contact with the latter at any point, in order that the vibrations of said sounding board may be full and free, and unchecked by any contact with other parts of the instrument.

Referring to the annexed drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view of a guitar having my improvements attached thereto, parts of the instru ment being broken away. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line a a of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 0, a of Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

(A) designates the body of the guitar, (A) the sounding board, and (B) the usual sound opening.

(O) designates the head block, and (O) is the neck, between which and the head block, the curved head portion (0) of the body is inclosed.

(E) designates the finger board, in which the transverse frets (c) are embedded. On the lower side of the portion of said finger board that is adjacent to the sound board, is glued or otherwise secured, longitudinally, a series of strips (i) of wood, the object of which is to prevent this portion of the finger board from warping or becoming unserviceable. It is my object to bring the finger board as close to the sounding board as possible and yet have an intervening space (c) between said parts. This is done by providing said sound board with a recess or concavity of corresponding size to the finger board so as to not mar the appearance of the instrument. This recessed part (f) is below the finger board, and is not visible to the eye.

(g) designates a T'shaped bracket which is rigidly attached to the head block in the interior of the instrument, and is entirely out of view. This bracket is provided with a curved and upwardly projecting portion (g) that projects through the sound opening (B) in the sound board. The object of said bracket is to provide a suitable support for the inner end of the fingerboard, and no portion of it is permitted to come in contact with the body of the sounding board of theinstrnment.

(72) is a detachable block of wood that is placed between the longitudinally placed reinforcing strips (6), and the upwardly projecting portion (g) of the bracket, and the object of which is to provide a portion of the support forthe inner end of the finger board, that may be conveniently detached at any time, and reduced in size, or a larger piece substituted, should it be found at any time, that the finger board was out of a true horizontal line with the sound board.

The inner end of the finger board is secured to the part (g) of the bracket by means of counter-sunk screws (n) that also pass through the block (it). By means of the bracket (g) which is completely concealed, the finger board is given a substantial support at its innerend, and is thereby enabled to be brought in close proximity with the sound board, without the possibility of its touching said sound board. The result is, the tone of the instrument is greatly improved; the sound board having a greater vibration. Consequently, the volume of sound. is greater and more lasting.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a guitar, the combination with the body, of a soundboard having a recess (6); a finger board over said recess, and being free from contact with any portion of said sound board; and a bracket in the interior of the instrument, upon which the inner end of the finger board is supported, substantially as described.

2. In a guitar, the combination with the body of the instrument; of a sound board provided with a recessed portion (f);'a T- shaped bracket in the interior of the instrument, attached to the head block; said bracket having a portion (g') that projects through the sound opening; a finger board having its inner end attached to said part (g'); said finger board and bracket being free from contact with the sound board, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the head block; of a sound board having a recessed portion (f); a finger board over said recessed portion;

reinforcing strips (1') secured to said finger board; a bracket (9) attached to the head block on the interior of the instrument; said bracket having a portion (g') that projects through the sound opening in the sound 

